It is bad enough riding for prize money which is a pittance but why should we have to put up with this?

The powers that be wouldn't work in those conditions and on health and safety grounds it shouldn't occur in this day and age.

We are very sorry what has happened but it was not the jockeys [sic] fault.

On the evidence of the pictures, it was hard to argue with Hughes' observations.

The ARC, who run the events at the Bath racecourse, apologised for the conditions in a statement carried by the same newspaper report:

Unfortunately Bath has had to abandon due to torrential rain causing localised flooding.

Despite efforts made by the racecourse, as the downpours occurred, drains were unable to cope with the continuous heavy rain, which affected the weighing room area.

Jockeys were offered alternative facilities but after discussion with the stewards it was decided that racing had to be abandoned. We will be looking into this and doing everything we can to ensure this situation does not re occur [sic] next season.